Renault Clio: Braking circuit: Bleed

Renault Clio III (2005-2013) Service Manual / Chassis / General Information / Braking circuit: Bleed

IMPORTANT

To avoid all risk of damage to the systems, apply the safety and cleanliness instructions and operation recommendations before carrying out any repair (see 30A, General information, Brake circuit: Precautions for the repair, 30A-2).

This procedure must be applied after one of the following components has been removed or replaced:

• the master cylinder,
• the brake fluid,
• the hydraulic unit,
• a rigid pipe,
• a hose,
• the reservoir,
• a calliper.

WARNING

Switch off the vehicle ignition so as not to activate the hydraulic unit solenoid valves when bleeding the brake circuit.

WARNING

The level must be between the " MIN " and " MAX " markings on the reservoir.

• Use locally produced containers to collect the used brake fluid.

  Front and rear callipers:

  • 2 washer fluid containers (1) (1 litre),
  • 4 mm diameter transparent pipes (2),
  • 4 pipettes (3),
  • 2 T-unions (4).

Note:

The new hydraulic unit is pre-filled.

When working on one of the following components, position a pedal press to limit the outflow of brake fluid and prevent any air from entering the master cylinder and the circuits downstream of the master cylinder:

• hydraulic unit,
• pipes between the hydraulic unit and brake callipers,
• brake hoses,
• brake calliper.

Remove the pedal press before carrying out the braking system bleeding procedure.

• Position the vehicle on a two-post lift (see Vehicle: Towing and lifting) (02A, Lifting equipment).
• Switch off the vehicle ignition.
• Connect the brake circuit bleeding device (after having received Renault approval) to the master cylinder reservoir (see the instructions for the equipment).
• Pressurise the brake circuit.
• Adjust the pressure to between 1.5 bar < P < 2 bar for 3 minutes to stabilise it in the braking circuit.
• Close the circuit between the bleed screw and brake fluid reservoir without dumping the pressure.

Note:

The circuit between the bleed screw and brake fluid reservoir is closed in different ways depending on the type of equipment used:

• valve,
• switch.

• Fit the bleed containers to the four bleed screws of the callipers.
• Undo the calliper bleed screws:
  • front left-hand,
  • front right-hand,
  • rear left-hand,
  • rear right-hand.
• Open the circuit between the bleed screw and brake fluid reservoir and allow the liquid to run until all the air bubbles have been released.
• Tighten the bleed screws in the following order:
  • front left-hand,
  • front right-hand,
  • rear left-hand,
  • rear right-hand.
• Undo the calliper bleed screw:
  • front left-hand,
  • allow the fluid to run until all the air bubbles have been released,
  • tighten the bleed screw on the calliper.
• Carry out the previous operation on the callipers:
  • front right-hand,
  • rear left-hand,
  • rear right-hand.
• Close the bleed screw to dump the pressure in the brake circuit.
• Remove the brake circuit bleeding device from the master cylinder reservoir.
• Check pedal travel and resistance. If it is not correct, finish bleeding the brake circuit with the help of a second operator. Start the bleed operation by bleeding the calliper that is the furthest away from the master cylinder:
  • hold down the brake pedal,
  • open the circuit bleed screw to release the air from the brake circuit,
  • close the circuit bleed screw,
  • release the brake pedal.
• Top up the brake fluid level in the reservoir, if necessary.

  Check the sealing of the front and rear bleed screws and ensure that the sealing covers are in place (see 30A, General information, Brake circuit: Tightening torque, 30A-6).

• During a road test, trigger braking regulation to confirm that the brake pedal travel is correct.
• Clean off any traces of brake fluid on the vehicle using BRAKE CLEANING PRODUCT (see Vehicle: Parts and consumables for the repair)

Brake circuit: Tightening torque

EQUIPMENT LEVEL E3 LEISURE or EQUIPMENT LEVEL EA1 or EQUIPMENT LEVEL EA2 or EQUIPMENT LEVEL EA3 or EQUIPMENT LEVEL EA4 or EQUIPMENT LEVEL EA5 or EQUIPMENT LEVEL EAG

I - FRONT AND REAR BRAKES

II - BRAKE CONTROL

EQUIPMENT LEVEL EAC or EQUIPMENT LEVEL SPORT

I - FRONT AND REAR BRAKES

II - BRAKE CONTROL

Brake fluid: Specifications

BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT INTERVAL

Our braking technology, and in particular the disc brakes (hollow pistons which conduct little heat, have a low volume of fluid in the cylinder, sliding callipers avoiding the need for a fluid reserve in the least cooled area of the wheel), has allowed us to prevent the risk of " vapour lock " as far as possible, even with heavy braking (mountainous area). However, current brake fluids are subject to minor deterioration during the first months of use due to slight humidity intake. This is why it is recommended that you change the brake fluid: see maintenance booklet for the vehicle.

1 - Topping up the level

Wear of the brake pads will result in a gradual drop in the fluid level in the reservoir.

Do not top up the fluid, as the level will rise again when the pads are next changed. The brake fluid level must not fall below the minimum mark.

2 - Approved brake fluid

Mixing two incompatible brake fluids in the brake circuit may lead to:

• serious risk of leakage due mainly to deterioration of the cups,
• deterioration in the operation of the ESP system.

To prevent such risks, it is essential to use only brake fluids that comply with the RENAULT standard (see Vehicle: Parts and consumables for the repair).

Brake: Specifications

(1) Brake discs cannot be reworked. If they are too heavily worn or scratched they must be replaced.

Steering: Tightening torque

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